"Why Can't I Focus on Studying?!"
Studying can be a rather unpleasant experience. It usually means sitting down in one place, actually reading your textbook, writing notes, and doing this for a long period of time.
Most of the time, the hardest part is getting started but, once you get going, it’s not that bad. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still bad but it could be worse (I think). Anyways, here are our best tips for studying when you really don’t want to.
1. Block off some Time
Procrastination is my greatest frenemy. On one hand, it inhibits me from doing really important things. On the other hand, it is SO fun. How many times have you told yourself, “Alright, one more youtube video,” and the next thing you know, you’re 10 videos deep watching some kid play the Spongebob theme on a recorder.
My biggest tip for fighting the procrastination monster is to block off a couple of hours every day to JUST study. I’m talking about putting it in your google calendar: STUDY (Yes, all caps). At that time, you are only allowed to study. After that, you’re free to do whatever you want.
It’s all about compartmentalizing your time to make studying more effective. If procrastination is an issue for you, check out our article on how to PREcrastinate!
My Youtube recommendations take me into some weird places!
2. Get in the Zone
So you’ve blocked off some time to study. You’re getting your books out, pulling up your notes, and- oh someone just texted me. In order to really study, you’ve got to put away everything that’s distracting. Researchers at the University of Texas found that the mere presence of your phone reduces your brainpower.
Turn off your phone and get that s*** away from you. I’m talking in your bag or out of your room; it can't be in your workspace. Extra points for downloading an extension like StayFocusd to even limit your computer distractions.
When you're locked in and ready to roll, that's a perfect time to initiate your free trial of the Wizeprep Subscription.
3. Switch up the Scenery
For me, my home is a no-work zone. Whenever I step foot into my room, all my brainpower seems to be sucked out of me. Suddenly, all I want to do is get into my bed, pull up Netflix, and just chill for the rest of the day. That’s why I can’t do work when I’m home; I’m just hardwired to slack off.
To combat this, when I know I have to be productive, I force myself to go to campus or even a local coffee shop. The forced change of scenery signals my mind to pep up and be productive. Try it for yourself!
4. Take short breaks
Have you ever read a paragraph like five times before you even comprehend it? Yeah, that’s usually a sign to take a break. Studies show that taking even a quick break during your study session can, in fact, help you focus.
No, that doesn’t mean you should go straight into the social media click-hole or eat a huge meal that’ll tire you out. Try to do something small but active like taking a short walk or even quickly meditating. Check out our article on the benefits of studying with a Pomodoro timer. Although you might feel productive grinding out a long study session, remember to take breaks. They’re good for you!
5. Listen to a Study Playlist
Apple Music and Spotify have some really great ready-to-go playlists that are perfect for studying. In fact, if you listen to binaural beats or instrumental music your brain is actually put into a state that helps you zone in on what you are doing.
According to a Healthline article, "Binaural beats in the lower beta frequencies (14 to 30 Hz) have been linked to increased concentration and alertness, problem-solving, and improved memory." So try that!
6. Gauge Your Energy Level
Your energy levels throughout the day can sometimes feel like a roller coaster. Try and complete your most demanding and thought-provoking tasks when you have the most energy. Once you feel yourself dropping off allow yourself to take a break or move on to other less demanding subjects to study.
Ideal times to work are 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm. Of course, these are just indicators, you might be most alert and awake at different times so pay attention to your energy levels throughout the day to learn when you work best.
At those times when your energy level is way too high (thanks to that 100th cup of coffee), try shaking off that extra nervous energy by doing something active or trying to bring yourself back into study mode with some guided meditation using these apps.
If you're just generally freaking out about your exams check out Wize's Live Prep offerings (Canada only) and the Study Pass to help you focus, study smart, and cover only the essentials for your next exam.
7. Make Realistic To-Do Lists
Productivity is about managing how you spend your time and energy, and setting a list of realistic intentions will help you to pinpoint what exactly you need to get done in a sitting.
To-Do lists can also be counterproductive and make you feel worse about the work you are getting done if your list isn’t realistic.
For example, you know that you can't study every single topic for every subject for your exam, so listing them all down and hoping you'll get through them won't help your motivation to study.
Instead, try to pinpoint which topics you feel the least confident about and that you might have not done well in for previous exams or assignments, focus on that, and make your to-do list shorter and more manageable. Here are some study tips from one of our Wize Profs, that'll help you get better grades.
8. Have a Coffee
If you're feeling mental fog, you might just need a shot of caffeine. It'll help improve your mental function almost instantly. If you’re trying to make a strict deadline try having extra coffee (or tea!) to help you get through it.
Make sure not to overdo it because being a jittery mess won't help you get any studying done. Check out this blog by Registered Dietitian Andy Herd that explains the exact amount of caffeine you need to improve concentration.
9. All About Snacks
Don’t have a big meal before sitting down to a lot of work. Being uncomfortably full makes you sleepy and sluggish. Instead, pack some healthy snacks and bring them to your work location. Veggies, nuts, and anything with vitamin C is best for studying because they provide the most energy and will keep you sharp.
10. Set Deadlines
Even if your professor has given you deadlines for assignments set your own a few days prior. This teaches discipline, how to manage your own time, and forces you to focus.
11. Let Yourself Rest
Breaks let you recharge your mind but also solidify the information learned before moving on to the next task. Moving from one subject to the next can be tiring on your mind, so take a step back and let yourself rest in between large demanding tasks or periods of study and it will help you focus when you dive back in.
Looking to study effectively? This video will help you take great notes online using Google Docs!
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